Seeds are the vital source that contains all the required materials to grow into a complex structure of the plant. Because seeds contain such material, they become insanely nutritious.
Similarly, Basil seeds and chia seeds are used worldwide for the fiber and minerals they provide that are extremely beneficial for one’s both physical and mental health.
Key Takeaways
- Basil seeds swell more than chia seeds when soaked in water, creating a gel-like consistency suitable for drinks and desserts.
- Chia seeds provide more fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids than basil seeds, making them a more nutrient-dense option.
- Basil seeds originate from India and are commonly used in Indian and Southeast Asian cuisines. In contrast, chia seeds come from Central and South America and have gained popularity in various health-focused diets.
Basil Seeds vs Chia Seeds
The difference between basil seeds and chia seeds is that basil seeds are derived from the plant known as Tulsi/basil that is native to the country, India. Chia seeds, on the other hand, are derived from a plant known as Salvia hispanica that is native to southern Mexico.
Basil seeds are also known as tukmaria and Sabja seeds at different places. They are black colored and very small. Basil Seeds are acquired from a native and holy plant of India, Tulsi.
Basil Seeds are rich in carbs, fat, fibers and have 0 amount of calories. These seeds are suggested not to be taken raw. Chia seeds are obtained from a native plant of southern Mexico that is known as Salvia hispanica.
This plant belongs to the mint family and its seeds are considered to be edible. The size of chia seeds is oval and their color is grey. There are black and white spots all over the chia seeds.
Comparison Table
| Parameters Of Comparison | Basil Seeds | Chia Seeds |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Basil seeds are extracted from the plant commonly found in India and called Tulsi/Basil. | Chia seeds are extracted from the plant commonly found in Southern Mexico and called Salvia hispanica. |
| How to consume | A person should soak the Basil seeds for certain hours because they shouldn’t be consumed raw. | A person can have chia seeds in whatever way he wants, they can be consumed both raw and soaked. |
| Colour | Looking at the basil seeds, one can find that they are completely black-colored without any kind of shade. | Chia seeds come in a variety of colors, for example, black, white, grey, with spotting on them. |
| Shape | Basil Seeds come in round shapes and they are very small in size. | Chia seeds come in oval shape and they are very small in size as well. |
| Nutrients | Talking about the nutrients, Basil Seeds are very rich in iron, minerals, and fibers. | Chia seeds are very well known for their nutrients and they contain antioxidants, calcium, protein, and fiber as well. |
What is Basil Seeds?
Basil seeds are black and resemble chia seeds but they belong to very different species of the plant. Basic needs are one of the greatest sources of nutrients.
Basil seeds have a hard structure and that’s the main reason why a person should not consume them raw. First, they should be turned gelatinous by soaking them in water for a few hours before consumption.
The Basil Seeds that are consumed, mostly come from a different kind of Basil that is sweet and known as Ocimum basilicum, and these seeds are used a lot in the seasoning of the food.
A large portion of the population refers to them as sweet basil seeds since they are derived from sweet basil.
Basil seeds have countless uses in Ayurveda because they have particular properties to treat certain diseases. Basil seeds are considered to be very beneficial when a person wants to lose fat since they help to prevent unnecessary cravings.
Also, basil seeds have a higher amount of fiber and they can make a person feel full for a longer period. Basil seeds have been proved to be great medicine for those who are suffering from diabetes.
Other than these benefits, Basil seeds are good for hair, skin, constipation, cold, heartburn, acidity, bloating, etc.
What is Chia Seeds?
Chia seeds are a product of a flowering plant that belongs to the Lamiaceae (mint) family and is known as Salvia hispanica. Salvia hispanica is found in the southern part of Mexico and some parts of the United States.
Chia seeds are consumed by people all over the world. These seeds are one of the best alternatives to Basil seeds. Chia seeds are very small that they are only 2 millimeters in size.
Chia seeds are considered to be hygroscopic since they can consume the liquid 12 times their weight. Hence, when they are soaked in water, they provide a particular gel texture in beverages and foods.
In modern times, Mexico is one of the largest cultivators of chia seeds but they are cultivated at some different places as well, for example, Australia, Argentina, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Bolivia, etc. They are surprisingly rich in multiple nutrients for their tiny size.
Chia seeds had a notable place in Maya and Aztec civilizations where a considerable amount of chia seeds were used to be included in meals and beverages.
Chia seeds were used for cosmetics, medicine, and rituals, in these civilizations and it hasn’t been changed a bit till now. Chia seeds have a variety of nutrients and minerals contained such as Phosphorus, Magnesium, Protein, Carbs, and many more.
Main Differences Between Basil Seeds and Chia Seeds
- When a person goes to buy Basil Seeds, he will have to spend a fair amount of money since they are expensive while chia seeds are cheaper than them.
- A tablespoon of Basil Seeds can contain almost 1200 MG of Omega-3 fat while the same amount of chia seeds can contain almost 2900 MG of Omega-3 that making them a winner in this criteria.
- When it comes to dietary fiber, Basil Seeds are a great source of it. On the other hand, chia seeds have less amount of fiber than Basil seeds.
- The color black is the only color that Basil Seeds have. On the other hand, Chia Seeds have no such barrier since they come in white, black, and grey color.
- It is suggested in the case of basil seeds that they should not be consumed raw while chia seeds can be soaked in water and consumed raw as well.
- https://ifst.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2621.2009.01993.x
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02542169
Last Updated : 16 July, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
